Wrapped Wheat
I’m going to tell you this straight away. I am not above shamelessly copying someone else’s awesome idea. Today’s craft was inspired by one of my favorite bloggers, Michael, at Inspired by Charm. It seems he picked an apropos blog name. I’ve wanted to wrap wheat stalks with embroidery thread ever since Michael shared the idea last year. But I guess the wheat stalks just haven’t aligned for me. Until now. Here’s how it went down. Because there’s always a story. A couple of weeks ago I dropped my daughter off at her painting class, which is in a run-down, kind of deplorable-looking building. This really isn’t all that unusual in Dublin. The only…
DIY Palm Leaf Broom
Prepare to have your mind blown. There are palm trees in Ireland. No, not the big, tropical island-type palm trees, but definitely another variety. It’s called the cabbage palm and it is originally from New Zealand. I have two in my backyard (or garden as they call it here). Here’s one of them. The cabbage palm drops its leaves all. the. time. We pick them up weekly. Sometimes when I can’t sleep, I lay in bed thinking of things I want to do around our home. It helps me fall asleep…unless I come up with a really good idea. Then it’s all “who wants to start a project at 3 a.m.?”…
Apple Cider Muffins
You guys. I got my behind kicked this week by a little bug called strep throat. I volunteered at school for the first time and two days later it feels like I’m swallowing glass. Coincidence?!?! Anyway, I walked (yes, walked) myself to the doctor to get some antibiotics and on the way there I stepped in dog poop. If I hadn’t been looking at the sign that says “bin your poo,” I probably would have avoided that landmine. It really wasn’t my day, but I’m sure it could have been worse. By the way, never assume your doctor’s office is sterile. The doctor prescribed penicillin to treat the strep and I can’t ever…
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Books My Kids Are Reading Now
My 9-year-old is a bookworm and I’m hopeful my 6-year-old will become one too. His reading abilities have exploded in the last few months. We go to the library weekly – sometimes daily for homework – and here are some books we’ve been reading together this month. Knitbone Pepper – Ghost Dog My kids loved this book – especially my daughter. If you have a pet you love, then you can probably relate to the story. It might even explain some of those strange sounds in your house?! Danny the Champion of the World With the recent celebrations at our local library and the release of the movie BFG, my kids have discovered…
Problem Room Update: Petite Fireplace
If you recall, I have been pondering how to decorate around a petite fireplace in our dining room. Clearly, I’m focused on the important things in life. I was contemplating decorating the space with some sort of gallery wall or collection. I’ve been trying to get rid of things, not collect things lately, so this would be a gallery wall or collection that I do not currently possess. In the meantime, I decided to go big or go home big. Literally. We have a photo of our daughter when she was 3 years old that my husband just happened to snap at the most perfect moment. I think he was actually setting up…
The Happy List #3
Here are a few of the random things that brightened my week. Enjoy! FUNNY ANIMAL PHOTO CONTEST If you need a smile today, this collection of funny animal photos will boost your spirit and feed your soul. I’m mean, come on, look at this little guy!! (Photo by Julian Radd/Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards 2015) TEACHERS TELL THEIR STUDENTS THEY ARE INSPIRING We cannot underestimate the power of a sincere compliment. The world needs a lot more of this type of positivity and acknowledgement. HAPPY FALL FREE PRINTABLE I just printed off this free Happy Fall artwork from Jones Design Company. Emily is a pretty talented lady and hails from the Pacific…
Halloween Bat Mantel
A couple of weeks ago a strange man at the train station offered my kids packages of Starburst candy. I’m sure the man was just trying to be nice and the candy was unopened, but still. In context, it was an uncomfortable situation. It was one of those lessons in “we don’t take candy from strangers.” Except on Halloween, right mom? GAH! My kids are wild about Halloween. They’ve been planning their costumes for months. And they really, really, really like it when we decorate the house for Halloween. Just because one year I went a little crazy with Halloween book covers and such and now they think we should decorate…
How NOT to Make a Book Pumpkin
This is a cautionary tale should you fall down the Pinterest hole of comparison inspiration and decide you too need to join the throngs of DIYers making book pumpkins. As I did. Please heed these warnings. STEP 1: Put one foot on the slippery slope to a moral abyss. To cut a book apart you’re going to have to throw your moral compass out the window. Let’s just be frank about that. It doesn’t matter how bad the book is, one simply does not cut a book apart. To loosen yourself up for the slide down this slippery moral slope, might I suggest doing something equally egregious, like double-dipping your chip in some…
The Happy List #2: Podcasts
Do you listen to podcasts? I didn’t, not regularly, until we moved to Ireland. Now, I have a fair amount of solitary time during my walking commute, riding the train, etc. Earbuds are kind of like the uniform for solitary commuters. Put earbuds in, don’t make eye contact with fellow travelers and mind your own business. Basically, it’s an introvert’s dream. What’s not an introvert’s dream? Calling attention to one’s self. I’m prone to busting out in song if I listen to music and that would be a BIG violation of the solitary commuter code. That leaves podcasts. There is an entire world behind that little podcast icon on your phone or tablet.…
Halloween Countdown Lunch Notes
I first published this post last September. It is pretty hilarious to note that despite so much changing in our lives this year, the day-to-day has stayed pretty consistent. My children still forget to put on socks. Every. single. morning. And they’ve been asking since August if I’m going to do Halloween countdown notes in their lunch boxes. Why, yes. We are definitely counting down the days for that one special evening when it is suddenly okay to take candy from strangers. Free printable below! My children’s selective memory is quite excellent. Case in point. They have been asking me for at least 3 weeks if I am going to do the Halloween countdown in…
